The Chicago Cubs moved closer to clinching a playoff spot with a strong 9-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. However, the win was overshadowed by a concerning incident involving third baseman Alex Bregman. During the fourth inning, a foul ball unexpectedly hit Bregman in the face, sending him to a local hospital for X-rays and CT scans.
Manager Craig Counsell described the incident, noting that Bregman was near the on-deck circle when a foul off Michael Busch’s bat bounced and struck him on the left side of his face. Bregman clutched his cheek and was assisted by a trainer before being taken to the clubhouse. The blow resulted in a cut on his left cheekbone and minor nose bleeding. The team evaluated Bregman for a concussion. While not initially cleared, Counsell stated, “That doesn’t mean those symptoms couldn’t be there.”
Counsell expected Bregman to fly back with the team after the game. He reflected, “I honestly thought it hit him in the nose, I thought he had a broken nose.” Emergency care continues as they assess his well-being. The Cubs seek positive results from the hospital before considering next steps, especially with the playoffs approaching.
Teammates expressed their concern, waiting anxiously for the test results. Busch, visibly shaken, admitted, “You never want to see that on the ball field.” He described the difficulty of focusing on the game after witnessing the accident. The game remained a priority, but the team eagerly awaited updates on Bregman’s condition.
Despite the incident, the Cubs maintained focus, performing exceptionally in their series finale against the Reds. The Cubs’ magic number to secure a playoff spot is now one. Their 87-69 record means they need one more win, or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss, to clinch.
Left-hander David Peterson excelled, pitching six innings and allowing just one run from three hits. He struck out seven batters. The Cubs’ offense delivered with nine runs from 13 hits, including a pivotal four-run third inning and three-run fifth.
Pete Crow-Armstrong played a crucial role with three hits and a home run, tying for the major-league lead with 45 homers. Ending a brief slump, he also achieved his 38th stolen base and 30th double of the season. Crow-Armstrong joined an elite group of players with 30-plus doubles, 35-plus stolen bases, and 40-plus home runs in a single season.
He reflected on his performance, noting, “Every player is begging for two-game slumps, it’s a testament to how good he’s been this year.” His commitment to better at-bats paid off as he turned his form around on Sunday.